According to official figures compiled by the suicide prevention charity Pieta House over a 150,000 people worldwide took part in the annual Darkness into Light walk this past weekend.
The walk which highlights the serious need to prevent suicide amongst people of all ages, has now entered its eight year and this year was an all time record for the number of participants taking part.
Originally started back in 2009 when 400 people from Ireland took part, the awareness walk has become a global event with people from major cities all over the globe taking part.
This year’s event which begun at 4:15am on Saturday morning seen over 150,000 people from cities such as Dublin, Auckland, Toronto and San Francisco take part with many others from far and wide.
Speaking about the events success Pieta House CEO Brian Higgins said: “I am overwhelmed by the support for Darkness Into Light this year all over the world.”
“I want to thank each and every one of the DIL committees throughout the country and abroad, as well as all the communities involved and all the local businesses for their unstinting support of Darkness into Light. The generosity of people who support Pieta House is incredible.”
Pieta House say all proceeds raised during the event will be spent on their own professional counsellors who provide assistance to those who have been affected by suicide.